The US and Venezuelan ambassadors who were expelled in a dispute last September will return to their posts in Caracas and Washington after both sides gave the all-clear, a US official said Thursday.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said "the United States and Venezuela have agreed to rescind the declarations of persona non grata" issued against US Ambassador Patrick D. Duddy and Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez.

He said they will return "to their respective posts" in each capital, but gave no date. It had not been clear whether the two ambassadors would return to their posts or whether they would be replaced by other envoys.

Officials in both capitals announced Wednesday that Venezuela and the United States had decided to end a diplomatic spat that led to the tit-for-tat expulsions of the envoys in September.

"An experienced career diplomat, Ambassador Duddy enjoys the full confidence of President Obama and Secretary Clinton," Kelly said, reading a statement.

"With his return, full diplomatic representation will resume. This important step will help advance US interests by improving bilateral communication and enhancing our outreach to the Venezuelan people," he added.

The Obama administration has taken steps toward improving ties with the government of Venezuela and others that had tense relations with the previous administration of George W. Bush.

Venezuela expelled Duddy in September 2008 in a gesture of solidarity with Bolivia, which had expelled the US ambassador in La Paz after accusing him of being behind opposition maneuvering against the government of President Evo Morales.

The Venezuelan president also said that when the United States had a new government, Venezuelan would send an ambassador to Washington.